Can puncturing device



Sept. 24,1935. os 2,015,271

CAN PUNCTURING DEVIQE I Filed Aug. 2'7, 1934 5/7 F/ as/vf e,

Patented Sept. 24, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to a can puncturing device and has for its principal object, the provision of a relatively simple, practical and inexpensive device that may be conveniently employed for punc- 5 turing one or more holes in the end of a can. for instance, cans containing milk, syrup or other liquids or semi-liquids or cans containing powdered or pulverized products.

A further object of my invention is, to provide a can puncturing device that may be easily and quickly adjusted.so as to be conveniently used on cans of different sizes.

With the foregoing and other objects in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangements of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a can puncturing device constructed in accordance with my invention, with dotted lines showing a can in position to be punctured.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the center of the device and showing the same folded into 2.3 closed position.

No. 3 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a bolt that is utilized in connecting the two main parts of the 30 device.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention, Hl designates one of the main members of the device which is preferably 35 formed from strap metal and provided with a longitudinally disposed slot H. One end of this member is bent laterally to form a foot or projection l2 that occupies a plane two or three degrees past a plane located at right angles or nine- 40 ty degrees relative to the plane occupied by the body of member III.

The foot I2 is bent two or three degrees past a plane at right angles to the plane occupied by member ID in order that when the tool is folded 45 for storage or placed in a sales package, the

outer end of the prong carrying arm that is connected to strap I0 and which is hereinafter described, will spring or snap into position below the end of the foot so that the device will be retained 50 in a compact folded condition as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Arranged for sliding movement on the front of member ID, is a plate 13 and formed therethrough, is a rectangular aperture [4 that is oo- 55 cupied by the squared shank portion 15 of a bolt Hi. The squared shank portion l5 passes and is arranged to slide freely through slot II and that portion of the shank of the bolt beyond the squared portion is reduced in diameter and threaded as designated by I! for the reception of 5 a winged nut Ill.

The construction just described provides means for readily adjusting the plate l3 lengthwise upon the member ID and clamping said plate to said member in differently adjusted positions and such in construction also prevents the plate l3 from rotating on member l0.

A conventional hinge l9 connects one end of plate l3 to a straight bar 20, preferably formed of strap metal and the length of this bar is such that when the plate I3 is moved to the upper end of slot II and bar is folded against the front face of member ID, the'free end of said bar is engaged and retained by the slightly inclined foot member l2 at the end of member ID, as illustrated 20 in Fig. 2.

Arranged to slide freely upon bar 20, is an open loop 2| of metal and projecting at right angles from one end thereof, is a prong 22.

Adjacent to the free end of bar 20, a portion of the metal in said bar is pressed out to form a stud 23, which prevents the loop 2| from sliding off said bar.

In the use of my improved can puncturing device, member l0 is arranged in a vertical position with the foot member l2 engaging beneath the bottom of the can that is to be punctured.

Plate I9 is now moved vertically upon member l0 until it occupies a position just above the top of the can and said plate is locked to member 10 by tightening the winged nut l8.

Slide 2| is now adjusted longitudinally upon bar 20 until the prong is in position to puncture the top of the can at the desired point and as downward pressure is applied to the outer portion of bar 20, the prong 22 will be forced through the top of the can.

By partially rotating the can while it is engaged by the device, and properly manipulating bar 20, the prong 22 may be forced through the top of the can at two or more different points.

Inasmuch as the plate 13 is readily adjustable lengthwise of member ID, the device may be quickly set for use on cans of different heights and as slide 2| moves freely upon bar 20, the device 5 may also be quickly and conveniently used on cans of different diameters.

The device may be folded so as to occupy comparatively little space when packed for storage or transportation and when so folded and with the scale shank I! of the bolt at the upper end of slot l I, the free end of arm 20 is pressed into position behind the foot II, which acts as a keeper (see Fig. 2.)

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a can puncturing device that is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, capable of being conveniently used for puncturing the ends of cans of different sizes and said device being very eifective in performing its intended functions.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved can puncturing device may be made and substituted for those herein shown and. described without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A can puncturing device, comprising a straight body member, one end of which is bent to form a foot that occupies a plane a few degrees past a plane at right angles to the plane occupied by said body member, a plate arranged to slide lengthwise on said body member, means for clamping said plate to said body member in diiferently adjusted positions, a bar hinged to said plate, a can puncturing instrumentality carried by said bar and the free end of which bar when folded against the straight body member engages the inner face of the slightly inclined foot.

2. A can puncturing device, comprising a straight body member provided with a longitudinally disposed slot, a foot projecting laterally from one end of said body member, a plate arranged to slide freely on said body member, means passing through said plate and slot for clamping said plate to said body member in diflerently adjusted positions, a bar hinged to said plate, and a can puncturing instrumentality on said bar.

FRANK l". HOSMER. 

